FDA labels genetically modified salmon SAFE after 2 weeks of tests!

On Monday, US authorities began hearings to discuss the ever-growing debate surrounding genetically modified salmon. (This is the final debate before authorities decide whether salmon will become the first transgenic animal to be sold in America) The US Food and Drug Administration has already determined the genetically modified fish to be safe for human consumption. (This has not been proven. With minimal testing results this study should not be taken seriously.)

The new Atlantic salmon will be spliced with a gene from the Chinook salmon which allows it to grow faster. "it is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon," the FDA said in a September 3 statement on the agency's website.

Opponents of the measure warn that a ruling in favor of the fish could not only endanger wild salmon throughout the world, but also open the door to many other kinds of GMO foods that may pose health risks and environmental dangers.

"Science cannot prove that this new gene-spliced salmon is safe for human consumption over a long period of time," said Darrell Rogers of the Alliance for Natural Health. "This recklessly and needlessly endangers human health."

AquaBounty (the company who created the GMO salmon) argues that its fish, injected with a gene from the Pacific Chinook salmon, can reach adult 12 to 14 months faster than normal Atlantic salmon. AquaBounty has been pushing it's genetically modified salmon to the FDA for several years now. (only to be rejected again and again due to health concerns.) But now it seems Aquabounty may get its way. But a coalition of over 30 groups is urging the FDA to reject the application, with critics warning the new salmon could escape from breeding tanks and interact with their wild counterparts. (possibly causing a major ecosystem disaster.) It could also open the door to a variety of other genetically engineered animals.

The coalition against the plan criticized the FDA's initial support, saying the agency based its decision on scientific data provided by AquaBounty and involved only six fish specimens. The FDA only reviewed the data for 14 days. (this is my point exactly! The fish is not safe. Only six specimens were tested) "Data from a mere six salmon, which is all the FDA presents, is not sufficient nor rigorous enough to conclude that no problem exists," said Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumers Union, in a statement. "Unfortunately, the evidence of FDA's evaluation of the AquAdvantage salmon suggests that FDA has set the bar very low," Hansen said in a statement. The "woefully incomplete" data "raise a potential serious human health issue, that of increased allergenicity," he stated. "If this product does increase allergenic risk, it should not be approved."

If GMO salmon is given the green light, consumer groups are demanding that the FDA require it to carry a GMO label, even though supporters of the new salmon argue that such a label might lead consumers to shun the fish.

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